Oregon Beer News, 02/05/2013

Here’s the Oregon beer news for Tuesday, the 5th of February. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Full Sail Brewing (Hood River): They have a horizontal tasting of this year’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout taking place at their Portland Riverplace location today, which sounds fantastic: “For 12 months our Imperial Stout has been aging in three types of bourbon whiskey casks — Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam Rye, and Four Roses. Our final release is a blend of all three, but we reserved some of each from the individual barrels for a stellar horizontal tasting. Compare the distilleries’ barrels to the final blend with us at our Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout release party, here on Tuesday February 5th at 5pm.” Wish I could make that!

The Platypus Pub (Bend) is hosting a beer tasting with California’s popular Lagunitas Brewing tonight from 6 to 8pm. Lagunitas rep Morgan McNamara will be on hand pouring a selection of their beers, and the Platypus will also have a couple on tap as well.

Belmont Station (Portland): Tonight from 5 to 8pm they have a cider tasting with Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider: “Nat West has been making cider in his Southeast Portland home for years and it hit our shelves in swing top 750ml bottles in May of 2012. If you have not yet experienced his craft ciders (or you already know and love them) come on down and try free samples of the Hallelujah Hopricot, made with heirloom American apples plus coriander, bitter orange peel, paradise grains, apricot juice, and whole leaf Cascade and Amarillo hops, fermented with French saison and Belgian ale yeasts in the style of a Belgian witbier. Then try Deliverance Ginger, made with American dessert apples, and fresh ginger juice along with just a hint of pure cane sugar.”

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Their Tap It Tuesday event at the Barrel House at 6pm is featuring “Live” Manhattan NW, “a NW style sour ale that was, until recently, a secret. It’s a blend of Blond Quad aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels on 150 pounds of sour pie cherries for five months before additionally aging on apricot noyaux for three months. Aromas of cherries, Bourbon, sweet candy and hints of spice are noticed up front. Tart cherry skins and Maraschino cherries on the palate lead to a dance of rich cherry notes that are followed by slight Bourbon sweetness. Much like the process to make fission, the steps involved here are greater than the sum of their parts. What isn’t a secret? At 11.32% ABV, you’re going to need a designated driver! $7.5 glass, $3 taster.”

Silver Moon Brewing (Bend): Their Growler Power Hour picks this week ($6 growler fills from 4 to 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday for the selected beers) are Hounds Tooth Amber and Snake Bite Porter, both long-time staples of the brewery (and both good).

This weekend, February 8 and 9 (Friday and Saturday), is Eugene’s annual KLCC Microbrew Festival! (Facebook event page.) This annual fest benefits the radio station KLCC 89.7 FM, and offers up live music, something like 57 breweries pouring over 140 beers, and special collaboration beers brewed by the Eugene-area breweries. This is a great Fest from all accounts, one to try to attend if you can. It takes place at the Lane Events Center in Eugene, 5 to 11pm Friday night and 1 to 11pm Saturday. Cost is $12 in advance (available on their site) and $15 at the door.

Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene) is teaming up with The Bier Stein tomorrow night to hold a series of special vertical tastings, starting at 6pm—and this is an event I’d love to check out: “We are very excited in presenting a pretty cool opportunity to sample some Vintage Ninkasi ales. This Wednesday evening starting @ 6pm we will be offering flights that include: 1.Allies Win the War 2012 2.Allies Win the War 2013 3.Critical Hit Barleywine 2009 4.Little One. Don’t miss this chance to try 2 years of Allies side by side or Crirical Hit 2009!”